Orae-doen jeongwon (2006)

Director:

Sang-soo Im

Writer:

Sang-soo Im (screenplay)

Release Date:

4 January 2007 (South Korea)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Eun-Seong
Jin-hee Ji
Yu-ri Kim
Jung-ah Yum
Hee-seok Yun
Yeo-Jong Yun

Also Known As:

The Old Garden (International: English title)

Runtime:

South Korea:112 min

Country:

South Korea

Language:

Korean

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

South Korea:12 | Singapore:PG | Japan:PG-12

Filming Locations:

South Korea

Company:

MBC-TV Korea

Quotes:

Oh: The air becomes soaked as the wind blows I endow it with the name, spring rain.
Han: [long pause] Is that all?
Oh: Sorry that's all.
[pause]
Oh: Spring Rain. Yet too meagre to soak the potato fields.
Han: [raised eyebrows, implied] ?
Oh: Yes, that's the end again.
Han: [nodding] Short, but classy.

Melancholia

Former socialist activist Oh is released from prison and recalls his old love, Han. Han had provided a safe house for Oh while he was on the run several years earlier. Oh is presented is a handsome, amateur poet, but his reason for being a fugitive is not presented well nor his exact role in the leftist protests. He never shows or displays any leadership. Han is happy to provide shelter, and a bed, more as an obligation to school friends. The entire leftist movement is presented with some sarcasm - the group is shown in petty Marxist arguments and victimized by the armed government troops, Han, our eyes in the middle of it all, rolls her eyes and shakes her head. The point of view of the film switches from Oh to Han half way thru and she's the far more interesting character, and then the old terminal disease deal comes up. There's some really nice cinematography in this film which matches the mood as subdued from the start and descending into melancholy. Nice film but a bit of a downer.